Volume #70, Issue #1

State of IllinoisIllinois Department of Transportation

The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame inducts candidates with distinguished records of long-term service to the avia-tion community. This year’s inductees include Roy Beisswenger, Chris Collins, Melvin Lynch, Harold Neumann andAl Palicki. The Greater Midwest Rotorcraft Club will receive the Spirit of Flight Award.

The 2018 Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony will be held May 24 at 6 p.m. at theNorthfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center in Springfield. For hotel information, visit www.ilavhalloffame.org. For banquet reservations call Tom Cleveland at (815) 748-8102.

2018 SPIRIT OF FLIGHT AWARD RECIPIENT Greater Midwest Rotorcraft Club The Greater Midwest Rotorcraft Club, Popular Rotorcraft Association Chapter 18, celebrated its 50th anniversaryin 2017. The club’s founding members were drawn to rotorcraft by Dr. Igor Bensen’s revolutionary version of thegyrocopter. Bensen’s plans and kits, which were advertised in Popular Mechanics in the mid-1950s, created arenaissance in home-built aircraft. The Popular Rotorcraft Association provided a forum for discussion of manu-facturing methods, training and safety issues.

The founders of the Greater Midwest Rotorcraft Club wanted to create a regional resource where flying enthusi-asts could find guidance as they built and learned to fly their aircraft. Until 1972, gyro enthusiasts had to teachthemselves how to fly, since there were no two-place trainers or certified flight instructors for gyros. The club’sfirst trainer was a two-seat, towed gyro glider. Since its inception, the club has helped hundreds of members learnto fly rotorcraft, and more than half of its current members are also fixed-wing rated.

The club participates in many airport events, hosting pancake breakfasts and cookouts on its own or jointly withthe local EAA chapter. They have also partnered in charity air shows and the Lansing Good Neighbor Parade andCruise Night.

ILLINOIS AVIATION HALL OF FAME

See the full Newsletter at www.idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/multimedia/index

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Since I last wrote to you, our valued Illinois Aviationreaders, the Division of Aeronautics has been busywith a number of issues that will have lastingimpacts on aviation in Illinois.

First and foremost, we’ve been continuing work onlegislative language to bring Illinois into compliancewith federal requirements in 49 U.S. Code 47133mandating the use of aviation fuel tax revenues forairport capital and operating expenses. The FederalAviation Administration granted Illinois an extensionthrough June 30, 2018, to pass this legislation,which will provide critical additional revenues for ouraviation system.

We are also currently reviewing the provisions of the“Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018,” which tookeffect March 23, 2018. The Act extends funding forFAA programs and the Airport Improvement Program(AIP) through Sept. 30, 2018. Funding provided bythe Act includes $3.35 billion for the AIP, as well asan additional $1 billion in discretionary funds for aviation projects across the nation. Our objective isto obtain a significant amount of this discretionaryfunding for Illinois airports.

Finally, in May 2018, we expect to hear about thesuccess of our application for the president’sUnmanned Aircraft System Integration PilotProgram. We are excited about the prospect ofbeing part of this innovative project to open doorsfor the expanded use of UAS equipment in the U.S.

In closing, I am pleased to announce that I haveaccepted the position of deputy director for theDivision of Aeronautics and look forward to improv-ing aviation throughout the state of Illinois.

Wishing you clear skies and exciting travels!

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR

KEN W. MARTIN

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2 Illinois Aviation

2018 ILLINOIS AVIATIONHALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Roy Beisswenger is based inGreenville, Illinois, where he hasoperated Easy Flight, a poweredparachute training school, since1993. His school became an earlymodel for the standardization ofultralight training. Beisswenger wasinstrumental in helping the FAA and

EAA develop the Sport Pilot Rule, under which hebecome one of the FAA’s first designated pilot examin-ers for the sport pilot program. In addition, he was thefirst to earn the designations of sport pilot and certifiedflight instructor-sport pilot for powered parachutes.

Before the sport pilot program began, Beisswengerassembled aircraft from kits and serviced them for hisschool and customers. In 2006, he became a repairmanof light sport aircraft maintenance with designations forairplane, powered parachute and weight shift controlaircraft, and is a designated airworthiness representa-tive for those same categories of aircraft.

Beisswenger is also involved in industry organizations.He serves as an at-large director for the NorthAmerican Powered Parachute Federation and a boardmember of the U.S. Ultralight Association. He served aspresident of the Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council,which conducts one of the largest sport aviation safetyseminars in the United States on an annual basis.

As the U.S. delegate to the committee of theFédération Aéronautique Internationale pertaining tomicrolight activity around the world, Beisswenger hashelped set competition and record setting policy for thesport on a worldwide basis.

Beisswenger has written for many ultralight and lightsport aircraft magazines. His articles have appeared in UltraFlight Magazine, Ultralight Flying! and the EAAExperimenter. He wrote part of, and helped edit, theFAA’s Powered Parachute Flying Handbook. He now writes and edits the monthly Powered Sport Flying magazine.

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Illinois Aviation 3

Chris Collins has been a tirelessadvocate for southern Illinois avia-tion. Graduating from SouthernIllinois University in Carbondale in1992, Collins earned his privatepilot’s certificate in 1999. He wasdeeply involved in Mt. Vernon’s EAAChapter 1155 prior to becoming air-

port director, and he helped organize the annual Saluteto Veterans and fly-in at Mt. Vernon Airport.

Since joining Mt. Vernon Outland Airport as director in2005, Collins has worked with the Chamber ofCommerce and Mt. Vernon tourism office to bringevents to the airport and keep the airport involved withthe local community. As a result, the Mt. Vernon Airporthas hosted numerous community events and aircraftconventions, including the Midwest LSA EXPO, which ithas held since 2009.

In 2016, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerceawarded Collins the Friend of the Chamber Award. In2015, he received the Governor’s Volunteer ServiceAward, and in 2014, due in part to his efforts as a boardmember, the Jefferson County Hall of Honor Memorialsand Monuments was selected as a Governor’sHometown Project.

Collins is active in many organizations. He serves EAAChapter 1155 as secretary and Young Eagles coordina-tor. He has given more than 300 Young Eagles rides. Hewas an organizer and board member for the BalloonFest at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport from 2014 through2016. He has made two trips to Haiti by plane to deliversupplies to missionaries. He is also a Jefferson CountyHall of Honor and Museum board member, YMCA boardmember, Lion Club board member, 4-H leader andFlights for Christ board member.

Melvin lynch has been a flightinstructor, charter pilot, A&Pmechanic with inspection authoriza-tion and dedicated advocate forgeneral aviation in northwesternIllinois for more than 45 years.

In 1962, Lynch was instrumental inelevating the Monmouth Flying Club from an airplaneowners group to a flight training organization dedicatedto providing affordable flight training to area residents.While working full time as an aviation mechanic for JetAir Inc., Lynch provided free instruction in club aircraftduring his off-duty hours. Due to Lynch’s efforts, hun-dreds of people were exposed to aviation and went onto earn their certificates. Many of those people havesince pursued careers in aviation as pilots, mechanicsand airport managers.

Lynch and the Monmouth Flying Club were so success-ful at providing flight instruction that the club’s Cessna150 went through three engines, finally becoming unair-worthy in 2009. Over the years, Lynch performed themaintenance on the club Cessna 150 without compen-sation. He worked with several other people to securenon-profit 501c(3) status for the club and helped facili-tate a grant to enable the club to obtain a replacementCessna 172 that the club owns to this day, as well asan additional trust to maintain it.

Lynch has been instrumental in keeping the MonmouthAirport open by volunteering his time in a variety offunctions for many years.

The 2018 Illinois Aviation Conference is May 23-24 at the Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center inSpringfield. Featured speakers will include Timothy Obitts, National Air Transportation Association; Peter Bunce,General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association; and Rebecca MacPherson, FAA Regional Manager. As in yearspast, outstanding airports and heliports will be honored at the IDOT awards luncheon.

The Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony will follow the conference on May 24. Forconference details and reservation forms, visit www.illinoisaviation.org/conference.html or call (217) 789-6252.

IllInoIs AvIAtIon ConfeRenCe

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4 Illinois Aviation

harold neumann, a farm boyfrom Geneseo, Illinois, was an avia-tion pioneer during the Golden Ageof Flying. He learned to fly in 1926in Moline and honed his skills in aJenny that he kept in a hangar onhis parents’ farm. In 1928, Neumanntraded the Jenny for a Travel Air. He

entered his first air race the following year at Kewanee.

Neumann’s reputation as an outstanding airman grew,and by 1933 he was flying for Benny Howard, theChicago-based designer, manufacturer and racer. In1935, he flew two of Howard’s planes in the 1935National Air Races in Cleveland, taking both theThompson Trophy and the Greve Trophy. He was fur-ther awarded the Collier Trophy for outstanding aviationaccomplishments and named “Air Race Pilot of theYear.”

In 1936, Neumann temporarily put aside show flyingand accepted a position with TWA. During his 30 yearsthere, he rose from his beginning position as a DC-2copilot to captain, flying the DC-3, Constellation andBoeing 707.

Following his retirement from TWA, Neumann becameactive in the International Aerobatic Club, sharing hisskills and techniques with younger IAC members atlocal, regional and national meets. He competed andwon IAC competitions well into his 80s. He also servedas a contest judge.

Neumann was inducted into the National Aviation Hallof Fame in Hammondsport, New York, in 1971 and theInternational Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame in 1998. Hepassed away July 5, 1995, at the age of 89.

Al palicki joined Priester Aviationin 1979 and became an importantcontributor to the company as itgrew and developed PalwaukeeAirport (now Chicago ExecutiveAirport) into a premier general avia-tion airport.

In 2001, when the Priester fixed-base operation wassold to Signature Flight Support, Palicki coordinatedthe transfer of Priester Aviation’s Line ServiceDepartment to Signature. Today, he is the SignatureFlight Support Chicago Executive General Manager.

Palicki actively represents aviation and the airport tothe community, extolling the importance of general avi-ation and the airport to surrounding neighbors. He par-ticipates in several community organizations, serving asan Economic Development Board Member andAssociate Member of the Chamber of Commerce. He isalso a Board of Police and Fire Commissioner, servinghis fifth term after being appointed to the position byfour different mayors.

For more information on the inductees and Spirit ofFlight award recipients, please visit the Illinois AviationHall of Fame website at www.ilavhalloffame.org.

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nAMe thAt AIRpoRt

Due to space limitations “Name that airport” hasbeen omitted from this edition of the Illinois AviationNewsletter. We will resume the column with theSummer 2018 issue. Correct answers from Winter2017 issue will be announced at that time.

Illinois Aviation 5

ILLINOIS AVIATION is published quarterly by the IDOT Division of Aeronautics. Comments, suggestions and submissions should be direct to Linda Schumm, Bureau Chief of Aviation Safety, 1 Langhorne Bond Drive, Springfield, IL 62707 (217) 785-8516, or e-mail to dot.aero@illinois.gov.

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW – USE AIRMAILIf you wish to receive the news even sooner, sign up for AirMail atwww.idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/subscription-services/index#3. AirMail is sent about two weeks before the hardcopy is mailed.

VIEW COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS: www.idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/stay-connected/multimedia/index

Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, 0109-18, 05/18, web

The FAA is expanding the drone airspace authorization

program. The program, known as LAANC (Low AltitudeAuthorization and Notification Capability), facilitatesapproval for small drone operators to fly in airspacecontrolled by an air traffic facility. Starting at the end ofApril, the program will be incrementally deployed toapproximately 500 airports, including airports in Illinois.www.faa.gov/uas

FAA Order JO 7350.9J, Location Identifiers, explains

the process for assigning identifiers. It also contains acomplete list of all airport and navaid identifiers in theU.S. www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices

The FAA will end their DUATS (Direct User Access

Terminal Service) contract in May. Pilots are encouragedto use the flight service website, www.1800wxbrief.com.After registering with the website, pilots can get weath-er briefings, check NOTAMs, file flight plans and more.The website even includes a list of upcoming events aswell as tips and resources for pilots.

The FAA has updated Advisory Circular 90-66B,

Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations. The AC is a summary of non-tower airport operations and guid-ance. It also includes references to the governing FAApublications. The updated AC incorporates operationsof unmanned aircraft at non-towered airports.www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars

May 19, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.2018 TBM Avenger Salute to Veterans

Illinois Valley Regional Airport, Peru, ILtbmreunion.org

May 20, 7 a.m. – noon60th Fly-In Drive-In Pancake Breakfast

Canton Ingersoll Airport, Canton, IL(309) 647-2072 • ingersollairport@cantonpark.org

May 23-24Illinois Aviation Conference

Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center, Springfield, IL(217) 789-6252 • Rob@cook-witter.com

May 24, 6 p.m.Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame

Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center, Springfield, ILTom Cleveland (815) 748-8102 • tcleveland@cityofdekalb.com

June 3, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.Olney-Noble EAA Pancake Breakfast

Olney-Noble Airport, Olney, IL (618) 843-8325

June 10, 7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.EAA Chapter 1414 Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast

Poplar Grove Airport, Poplar Grove, IL1414.eaachapter.org

June 17, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.Father’s Day Fly-In Breakfast

Marshall County Airport, Lacon, IL (309) 246-2870

June 23, 9 a.m. – 12 noonAnnual Safety Program

Marshall County Airport, Lacon, ILBarry Logan (309) 246-2870

June 24, 7 a.m. – noonAnnual Fly-In Drive-In Pancake Breakfast

Macomb Municipal Airport, Macomb, IL (309) 833-3324

June 24, 8 a.m. – 12 noonEAA Chapter 790 Annual Pancake Breakfast

Lake in the Hills Airport, Lake in the Hills, IL Tom Solar (847) 468-9437 • tomsolar@sbcglobal.net

CAlendAR of events

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